IXWORTH
Origin: Great Britain
The Ixworth is a meat breed created by Reginald Appleyard, starting in 1931 and launched at the 1938 London Dairy Show, and named after the Suffolk village of his birth.
The aim was to produce a top quality, fast maturing table bird that would also lay more and avoid the other utility problems associated with Indian Game. Breeds used in its make included White Sussex, White Orpington, White Minorca, White Old English Game, Jubilee and Dark Indian Game. Reginald Appleyard also made a bantam version circa 1950 but it is believed that they only lasted for a decade.
Legs are white with a pinkish tinge, eyes are orange and the pea comb is red. The Ixworth is only in one colour, white.
They should be in a free range environment as they are active foragers. It is a hardy breed with a quiet temperament.
The bird is white fleshed. Some say it provides the best quality meat of any pure breed. However like most pure breeds it is best to eat at no more than 12-14 months.
The breed nearly went extinct in the 1950’s as faster growing hybrids broilers arrived. Rare breed conservationists began to revive Ixworth’s in the 1970’s and now there are now about 20 enthusiastic breeders but only four exhibitors.This is because they appeal to free range/organic/traditional poultry keepers more than to regular show exhibitors, who might prefer smaller breeds with an interesting plumage pattern or other ornamental features .However, a remarkably heavy and well- presented Ixworth has impressed judges several times to win ‘Best Rare Breed’ awards.
Depending on the strain the Ixworth hen will produce about 150-180 medium-sized light brown eggs in a year.
Origin: Great Britain
The Ixworth is a meat breed created by Reginald Appleyard, starting in 1931 and launched at the 1938 London Dairy Show, and named after the Suffolk village of his birth.
The aim was to produce a top quality, fast maturing table bird that would also lay more and avoid the other utility problems associated with Indian Game. Breeds used in its make included White Sussex, White Orpington, White Minorca, White Old English Game, Jubilee and Dark Indian Game. Reginald Appleyard also made a bantam version circa 1950 but it is believed that they only lasted for a decade.
Legs are white with a pinkish tinge, eyes are orange and the pea comb is red. The Ixworth is only in one colour, white.
They should be in a free range environment as they are active foragers. It is a hardy breed with a quiet temperament.
The bird is white fleshed. Some say it provides the best quality meat of any pure breed. However like most pure breeds it is best to eat at no more than 12-14 months.
The breed nearly went extinct in the 1950’s as faster growing hybrids broilers arrived. Rare breed conservationists began to revive Ixworth’s in the 1970’s and now there are now about 20 enthusiastic breeders but only four exhibitors.This is because they appeal to free range/organic/traditional poultry keepers more than to regular show exhibitors, who might prefer smaller breeds with an interesting plumage pattern or other ornamental features .However, a remarkably heavy and well- presented Ixworth has impressed judges several times to win ‘Best Rare Breed’ awards.
Depending on the strain the Ixworth hen will produce about 150-180 medium-sized light brown eggs in a year.
